that, having
heard Miss Hope Charrington's entertainment (at the mission-room of
Saint Paul's Church!), she was able most enthusiastically to recommend
it to all mothers and guardians. Alas! the all-important inquiry was
one of many more "unavoidably delayed through want of space," and how to
reply to an advertisement which had never appeared was a problem which
baffled even Madge's ingenuity.

"I shall go to see Minnie Caldecott this afternoon," announced Hope one
Tuesday morning when the post had produced nothing more inspiring than a
couple of circulars and a coal-bill. "I can't sit here any longer doing
nothing, and it is evidently no use writing to her. I have not even
heard if the song arrived. Would any one like to come with me and get a
peep into professional life?--Theo?"

"Yes," said the author quickly. "It will be `copy,' and I want it
badly. I have quite a stock of heroes and heroines on hand--fascinating
creatures, every one--but I can't think what to do with them! Perhaps
one might be a public singer. I've given her a lovely voice already.
I'll come, Hope, and make a study of the lady while you discuss
business."

A few hours later, therefore, behold the two sisters seated in the warm,
flower-scented little room, where the portraits of becurled ladies still
smirked from the walls, and the presiding goddess dispensed tea, and
kept up a stream of cheerful, inconsequent babble. She appeared
overjoyed to see her visitors, kissed them effusively, addressed Hope
affectionately as "Miss What's-your-name," and declared that she
remembered her quite well. "You brought me a song with ridiculous
words; and you have all come up to town to make your fortunes. It isn't
too easy, is it? I'm supposed to be one of the lucky ones, but it is
the solemn truth, my dears, that there are only a few pounds between
myself and the workhouse. It is a hand-to-mouth business, and what with
cabs and gloves, there is precious little to be made out of these
suburban engagements. I shall have to get married one of these days.
There is one man now--that is his portrait on the mantelpiece--the one
with the big nose! He has been worrying me for years, and I tell him
the first time I get a really bad cold on my chest I'll marry him then
and there. I could never stand the expense of an illness. Look at that
girl laughing! It is your sister, isn't it, dear? What is her name!
Theo! I say, how toney! Are you clever too, Th